Whether it's winter or summer, it's always a good time for ice cream. The Metro has lots of high quality ice cream shops, but one place in Papillion is also serving up some history with its sweet treats.
Graley’s Creamery and Confections in downtown Papillion is a unique place to get ice cream and other goodies.
“This building is the oldest building in Papillion," said co-owner Bryon Compton. "It was built in 1870, was the general store. This is a big piece of history for Papillion”
Compton is dressed in period clothing like all the staff there. The goal:
“That’s our niche." he said. "It’s about history and memories, but it’s more than that. Our story is about making memories also, so it’s not just about making history, it’s about future memories to come.”
Compton and his family made the rounds in Nebraska and Iowa, starting churches and wound up in Papillion. He says God told him to open an ice cream parlor as a way of helping make money, an idea that took awhile to take root.
“We ended up moving here towards Papillion to work with a coffee shop that used to be a coffee shop across the street, there was a church in that coffee shop," he said.
When the building Graley’s is in went up for sale, Compton said he and his wife knew that is where the shop needed to be. They bought it and restored it to its historical roots, reflecting what it looked like more than 150 years ago.
The ice cream making magic happens upstairs. Everything is made from scratch including most of the flavorings, many of which have what Compton calls “old-timey” flavors that fit in with the history of the period. The ice cream bases are cooked and spun and frozen and then put into a cooler, often taste-tested several times before being sold.
Even the waffle cones are hand made in the shop.
The special quality of the place also comes from the staff.
During the summer months, Graley’s employs around 30 people, many who are students getting an opportunity for work and building there own futures.
“My staff is awesome, and they are 99% of the reason people have a great experience here is because of the staff,” Compton said.
Still, the shop is a family affair, with the core staff being Compton, his wife and his two children. That even comes down to the name of the Creamery.
“It’s named for my kids, Greg and Haley. It’s a mash up of their names and honestly the reason is I want it to be a legacy for them," Compton said.
Regular customers. Like Allison Lunsford, come here for all the unique aspects.
“The atmosphere, the old-timey feel that they go for, the way they dress and the variety of flavors of the ice cream," she said. "Also they have other food. Today we ordered some of the hand pies, which are also very tasty.”
All things Compton is aiming for.
“We don’t want people to come here and just eat ice cream. We want people, when they walk in, to step back into 1890.," he said. "We want to be the place where families gather and memories are made and so that’s kind of what we’re about.”
And, it all seems to be working as planned.
Graley's is located at 147 N. Washington St. in Papillion. They're open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
They also offer catering services and online ordering, and have special events throughout the year. for more information click here.